Cressa truxillensis Plant Care
Cressa truxillensis Kunth
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Cressa truxillensis is a species of flowering plant in the morning glory family known by the common name spreading alkaliweed. It is native to the western United States and Mexico, where it grows in habitat with saline or alkaline soils, such as beaches, desert flats, and playas.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
65–85°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Cressa truxillensis?
Plant Cressa truxillensis in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 13b) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 65–85°F (18–29°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Cressa truxillensis Native To?
What Is the Cressa truxillensis?
Cressa truxillensis (Cressa truxillensis) belongs to the Convolvulaceae family within the Cressa genus. Cressa truxillensis is native to the western United States and Mexico.
Cressa truxillensis displays a low spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Cressa truxillensis produces small white or pink funnel-shaped flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Cressa truxillensis?
Water a young or newly planted Cressa truxillensis every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Cressa truxillensis Need?
Cressa truxillensis thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Cressa truxillensis Prefer?
Cressa truxillensis tolerates temperatures of 65–85°F. Cressa truxillensis prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
65–85°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Cressa truxillensis?
Well-draining sandy loam with organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Cressa truxillensis to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Cressa truxillensis?
Feed Cressa truxillensis every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.
Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
Where Should You Plant a Cressa truxillensis?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Cressa truxillensis is suited to USDA Zone 13b.
Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.
How Far Apart Should You Plant a Cressa truxillensis?
Cressa truxillensis can spread to about 3 ft (0.9 m) and reach about 2 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 3 ft (0.9 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.
Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.
How Do You Prune a Cressa truxillensis?
Prune Cressa truxillensis while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.
If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.
How Do You Care for a Cressa truxillensis in Winter?
Cressa truxillensis is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.
How Do You Propagate a Cressa truxillensis?
Cressa truxillensis can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to dune cress plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Cressa truxillensis Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Cressa truxillensis, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Cressa truxillensis?
Cressa truxillensis is susceptible to aphids, whiteflies, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Cressa truxillensis Need?
Cressa truxillensis grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Cressa truxillensis is native to the western United States and Mexico. In cooler regions, grow Cressa truxillensis as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
Cressa truxillensis is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Cressa genus — compare its care with other Cressa species on PlantoScan.
Cressa is part of the Convolvulaceae plant family — browse all Convolvulaceae genera and species.
Cressa truxillensis thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Cressa truxillensis Kunth, family Convolvulaceae (first published in Nov. Gen. Sp. 3: 93 (1819)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Cressa truxillensis, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13b, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
